Education for Ministry: A Discipleship Practice with New Offerings

Have you ever wondered how to go deeper in your faith—beyond Sunday worship, into a more meaningful relationship with God? Have you longed for a space where you can ask honest questions, explore scripture, and grow alongside others who are also wondering? Education for Ministry (EfM) might be just what you’re looking for. EfM offers a powerful way to explore your faith, discover your call, and strengthen your ability to live as a disciple of Jesus in the world.
EfM is a four-year theological education program designed for laypeople, but it is not just gaining knowledge—it’s about discipleship. Through the study of scripture, theology, ethics, and church history, participants are invited on a transformative journey that connects their heart and mind, their beliefs, and practices. Meeting in small groups, students are led by trained mentors where they engage in deep conversation, theological reflection, and shared discovery. As Jesus called his followers to “go and make disciples of all nations…” (Matthew 28:19), EfM provides a path for anyone ready to take that call seriously.
One of the great strengths of EfM is its ability to evolve and respond to the needs of modern disciples. This Fall, you can look forward to EfM: Wide Angle, EfM: Catechumenate, and EfM: Reflections. These three new EfM opportunities are designed to meet you where you are—an easy on-ramp to discipleship and greater biblical knowledge.
For those looking for a flexible, lower-commitment way to experience the transformative core of EfM, EfM: Wide Angle is a one-year introduction to the foundational practices and values of the EfM journey. EfM: Wide Angle was designed to offer an authentic seminar experience rooted in EfM’s Core Practices—theological reflection, deep listening, communal learning, and spiritual growth—without the four-year academic commitment of the classic program. It’s ideal for:
- Those who want to try EfM before committing to the full four years
- Graduates who wish to continue learning in community
- Learners who prefer a mix of short readings, videos, blogs, and podcasts
- Participants who can commit just 60–90 minutes of preparation each week
Whether you’re entering your first faith formation program or using this as a bridge toward deeper study, EfM: Wide Angle provides a welcoming, accessible on-ramp into a life of theological reflection and faithful action.
Another new resource being developed is EfM: Catechumenate.
EfM: Catechumenate is a program rooted in scripture, history, reflection, and spiritual engagement—designed especially for those preparing for full membership in the Church through baptism, confirmation, or reaffirmation of faith. Created by The Very Rev. Jim Turrell, Dean of the School of Theology at the University of the South, and The Rt. Rev. Jeffrey D. Lee, retired bishop of the Diocese of Chicago, this course draws from the core practices of EfM to form a deeply grounded approach to the Christian life. Like all EfM offerings, EfM: Catechumenate is about being formed through discipleship. Participants are invited into a spiritual discipline that equips them to reflect deeply and step into the Christian journey with intention and joy.
Finally, EfM: Reflections offers short-term formation opportunities designed for congregational and small-group use. These five- to ten-week studies invite participants, onsite or online, into guided theological reflection. They are ideal for those seeking a flexible entry point into the EfM method or for graduates who want to continue their journey in community.
Two exciting EfM: Reflections modules will be beta tested this fall:
Catharine Meeks: Meditations for Racial Healing (8 weeks)
Based on the powerful book by Dr. Catharine Meeks, this series offers a meditative and honest space for those seeking racial healing through introspection, truth-telling, and hope. Participants will reflect on how to work through fear and rage, how stories can both wound and heal, how to honor our ancestors while building a better future, and what it truly means to love one another and pursue social justice.
Tara Soughers: A Theology for Trans Allies (5 weeks)
As understanding of gender continues to grow, this course explores how embracing gender diversity can deepen our theology and expand our view of God. Using Beyond a Binary God: Toward a Theology for Trans Theology by Tara Soughers, participants will reflect on what it means to be created in the image of a God who is Three and One—but never just two.
EfM: Classic, EfM: Wide Angle, EfM: Catechumenate, and EfM: Reflections offer a full spectrum of formation opportunities, providing multiple entry points into the journey of discipleship. No matter where you begin, the invitation is the same: to grow deeper in your relationship with God, to wrestle faithfully with scripture and tradition, and to discover how your own story fits within God’s unfolding story of love, justice, and redemption.
EfM graduate Mark Wangsness said, “Education for Ministry (EfM) is an individual spiritual journey taken in a group setting. It’s a unique program that gives you the space to ask spiritual questions—deep, personal, even challenging ones. In EfM, you are not expected to have all the answers. You are simply asked to show up, stay curious, and be open to where God may be leading you.”
That spirit of openness and trust is what makes EfM so transformative. It’s a place where everyone belongs—where you can be yourself, bring your doubts, and find companions for the journey. While the curriculum provides structure, it’s the relationships and reflections that bring it to life.
“I had always understood vocation to mean what a person does for a living—a career focused on advancement, success, and money… EfM challenged that idea and gently, powerfully, reoriented my understanding. Vocation, I learned, is God’s calling to do God’s work in the world… You don’t have to be a minister to minister. You don’t have to wear a collar to serve. Ministry is about how we live, how we treat others, and how we reflect God’s love in everyday interactions,” said Mark.
That insight lies at the heart of EfM’s mission: to help each person discover how they are called to reflect God’s love in their own unique way. It’s not about becoming someone else—it’s about becoming more fully yourself, rooted in faith and open to God’s ongoing work.
Another student, Marti Welch-Doyle, recently shared how EfM not only changed her thinking but also built a community of support and friendship:
“Our meetings are filled with laughter, love, and incredible food as we share our studies with the group… I know each member in a way I never would have otherwise, specifically because of EFM, and I don’t even want to think of a time when we are not all together on Tuesday evenings.”
EfM forms not just minds, but relationships. These small groups become spaces of vulnerability, grace, challenge, and growth—true microcosms of the Church, where everyone learns from each other. This is the essence of discipleship: letting God reshape how we see, how we act, and how we understand ourselves in the story of faith.
“EfM provides a safe, nonjudgmental, open forum for those seeking clarity, connection, and communication for a deeper sense of purpose,” said Mark. “Ask the questions. Join the conversation.”
We encourage you to explore EfM if you’re feeling the call to grow in your faith or deepen your understanding of scripture and theology. Whether you’ve been in the church your whole life or are just beginning to wonder what this all means, EfM can meet you where you are—and walk with you as you grow.
To learn more or to get started, visit https://theology.sewanee.edu/education-for-ministry, where you’ll find helpful details and sample lessons. You can also contact our EfM Diocesan Coordinator, Mark Patzman, at efm.edsd@outlook.com.
The path of discipleship is lifelong. Education for Ministry is one way to walk it—with courage, curiosity, and community.